What are Skin Rashes? Conditions, Diagnosis and Treatment

Skin rashes can be any one of the conditions of the skin which may involve the change of its appearance and texture. Rashes can be harmless and can cause serious complications of the skin as well. Rashes are often characterized by the feeling of irritation, itching, swelling, blistering, cracking and swelling.

Skin rash is a term used to encompass a large number of skin disorders and is not referred to point to any one condition. Skin rash appears in different forms pointing towards a certain disease or condition of which it may be a symptom.

Types of Skin Rashes

Skin rashes can be of the following types.

Common or Non-infectious Rash

Common or Non-infectious rash only affects a particular anatomical area and is limited to it. This type of rash is not caused by microbial infections.

Eczema: Also known as Atopic Dermatitis, eczema is pretty common among children which involves the appearance of red, painful and itchy rashes. The affected area includes neck, cheeks, inner elbows and back of the knees

Seborrheic Dermatitis

A common condition involving the appearance of red scaling on the area surrounding the face including forehead, cheeks, brows, outer ear and scalp.

Contact Dermatitis

The rash caused by contact with certain irritant or allergen causes the condition which involves painful, itchy and oozing rash confined to the area of exposure. Contact with plants such as poison ivy can produce such rash.

Stasis Dermatitis

Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a common occurrence among babies whose skin come into contact with moisture for a long time.

Infectious Rash
Infectious Rash is caused by the infection of the skin by bacteria and fungus. Some of the widespread infectious rash conditions are as follows.

Fungal Infections
Common fungal infections include yeast infections, caused by yeast fungi, appearing as red pustules on folds of skins such as the groin and the skin under the breasts. Women are frequent targets of yeast infections.

Bacterial Infections
Most bacterial skin infections involve the appearance of painful and pus-filled bumps. The most common rash condition caused by bacterial infection is impetigo.

Diagnosis of Skin Rashes

The diagnosis of skin rashes is made primarily by its appearance of the skin. The physician would enquire about the history of the patient as far as any such conditions are concerned. The physical examination is important for the diagnosis as the rash itself is the greatest indication of the underlying condition. The shape, nature, color, texture and the extent of affected area of the skin all point towards the particular skin condition.

Treatment of Skin Rashes

The treatment of skin rashes is a broad subject which depends largely on the condition diagnosed. The main aim of the treatment of skin rashes is the treatment of the irritating symptoms that accompany it such as itching, other than the disappearance of the rash itself.

Treatment of Fungal Infections

Applying over-the-counter anti-fungal creams such as 1% terbinafine and 1% clotrimazole are effective for the treatment. Toenail fungus is treated by oral terbinafine. Applying yogurt and garlic to the affected area is an effective yeast infection home remedy.

Treatment of Bacterial Infections

Prescription medicines such as antibiotics and topical creams such as mupirocin are useful for the treatment of skin rashes caused by bacterial infections.

Over-the – Counter Topical Treatment for Common Rash

Most common skin rashes are treated with the help of steroidal and non-steroidal topical creams.

Over-the-Counter Medicines for Common Rash

Antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine, loratadine and diphenhydramine are taken in order to treat skin rashes and find relief from itching.

Home Remedies

While you may or may not be able to access over the counter medication for the right skin rash condition right away, you can follow some home remedies in order to treat skin rashes.

Do not touch the skin rash.

Wash the affected skin area with water carefully. Try using soap as well.

Keep the rash exposed to air.

Avoid scratching.

Avoid hot environments and the sun as it can worsen itching.

Applying moisturizing lotions can also help relieve the symptoms.

Use loose cotton clothes to avoid getting irritated by the rash.

Mild exercise could help relieve skin rash as stress is one of its causes.

Cool the itchy skin rash by placing clothes soaked in ice water over it to find relief. Repeat a few times a day but avoid overdoing this as it can further dry the skin, causing even more itching.